Cold weather clothing vocabulary (and the coziest cafes in SD and SF)

January 8, 2014

If you have experienced a “California winter” while studying English in San Francisco or San Diego, then you have probably needed to bundle up a little. The temperatures in California are nowhere near the cold temperatures that other parts of the country, Europe, or Asia experience . . . but they are chilly enough that you need to occasionally grab a scarf or extra sweater. (Although the next day, it could be beach weather: you never know!) We have a list of some of the more common vocabulary words for winter clothing, which should help you when shopping or when getting ready for a “cold” winter day in SD or SF.

Winter Clothing Vocabulary

Beanie

This unisex cap can be more bulky, like a sweater, or more athletic-looking. They can also be oversized, like the one pictured below, or more form-fitting.

Beanie from Kitty Dune on Etsy.

Hoodie

“Hoodie” is a broad term for shirts with a hood. They can have a zipper, like the one pictured below, or not. Most have large pockets in the front for your hands. Hoodies with zippers are also sometimes called “zip-ups.”

Cal hoodie from the Berkeley student store.

Leggings

Leggings come in all colors and patterns. Some are thicker; some are thin or sheer.

Leggings from Philament Collective on Etsy.

Pea Coat

Pea coats were originally part of the U.S. Navy uniform; today, they are a fashion statement for men or women.

Pea coat from Wikipedia.

Pullover

Like the word “hoodie,” the term “pullover” is very generic: it can be applied to any sweater that you pull over your head. Traditionally, the pullover was a bulky, “dorky” sweater, like the ones worn by nerdy characters in Christmas movies. Today, they are again a fashion statement.

Oversized pullover from Shamrock Arts on Etsy.

“Uggs”

“UGG” is actually the name of the Australian boot company that first produced the warm, furry boots that so many people love. Today, the name applies to any type of boot produced in that same style.

Ugg-style boots from Nerdy Youth on Etsy.

Zip-up

If the sweatshirt has a zipper, it can be called a “zip-up.”

Zip-up from the University of San Diego bookstore.

Now that you know the names of the clothing worn in cold weather, what about cold weather plans? A chilly day is a great excuse for going to a coffee shop and studying. Both San Diego and San Francisco have some cozy, inviting cafes: check them out!

Cozy cafes in San Diego

Cafe Calabria

This Italian-run coffee shop in North Park is a great place to relax and grab an espresso, cappuccino, or even a glass of wine. If you get hungry, check out their delicious pizzas baked in their wood-fired oven. Very Italian!

Lestats

This cozy cafe in Normal Heights is one of the more famous cafes in San Diego, and is frequented by locals. Guests lounge in sofas and read, work on laptops, or play games with friends in this very charming place.

The Olive Cafe

What was once a very small cafe has expanded: the owner purchased the cafe next door and turned both locations into a larger restaurant. It is a good thing: the food was so good that customers would happily wait a very long time for a seat! This is a great place to grab a coffee and some breakfast or lunch when you are spending a day in Mission Beach.

Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffee House

Even San Diego locals are surprised to find that Seaport Village has a bookstore: Upstart Crow is truly a hidden gem! Part bookstore, part knick-knack shop, part cafe . . . Upstart is an incredibly charming place to get a coffee and curl up with a new book.

Nook

Nook is a great place to grab not only coffee, but also some wine. Many CISL students claim that their English skills improve greatly after a glass of wine . . . maybe this is a good place to test this theory?